title: Risk factors for Haemobartonella felis infection in cats.
abstract: A seroepidemiologic survey for Haemobartonella felis infection in cats of Wake County, NC was undertaken. To help assess risk factors, cat owners completed a 10-item questionnaire. Additionally, blood samples were obtained for determination of H felis presence, FeLV infection, and anemia. Prevalence rates for H felis presence were as follows: all cats, 4.9% (6/123); healthy cats, 3.6% (3/83); and ill cats, 7.5% (3/40). The estimated relative risk for haemobartonellosis was also increased in cats with any of the following: anemia, FeLV-positive status, lack of vaccinations, history of catbite abscesses and/or anemia, age less than or equal to 3 years, or outdoor-roaming status. The sex, breed, number of cats in the household, or presence of fleas were not significant factors, although ill male cats had a greater estimated relative risk for haemobartonellosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Grindem
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Tomkins
mesh_terms: D000710:Anaplasmataceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000711:Anaplasmataceae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002415:Cats; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires